Calling All Soldiers! ‘Uniformed for Service’ Campaign Day January 23, 2025
Within the book “Called to be a Soldier: Exploring the Soldier's Covenant” published in 2020 through International Headquarters, it is noted that "Salvation Army uniform and Salvation Army-branded clothing are important reminders of our own promises, a sign of our identity, and a witness to the presence of Christ in our lives.” The text also refers to the concept of the uniform bringing visibility in the community, including “the opportunity to witness to people who are not yet Christian by explaining who we are and why we wear the uniform.”
On January 23, the USA Southern Territory will take up that opportunity of witness as part of the “Uniformed for Service” campaign. Inspired by a similar initiative implemented in the Florida Division in September 2024, the Territorial Mission, Evangelism, and Cultural Ministries Department is challenging soldiers to wear their Salvation Army uniforms throughout the day and be ready to share the Army’s mission when prompted.
“I believe in what The Salvation Army uniform stands for,” says Major Chris Thornhill, territorial mission, evangelism, and cultural ministries secretary. “It also gets us in the door in places that we would not normally be able to get into, no matter whether we are in red epaulets like the ones I wear or blue epaulets that a soldier would wear.”
While The Salvation Army is well-known in various communities, the campaign can also bring additional awareness to the organization’s mission and what its officers and soldiers stand for.
“Soldiers and attendees of the Army stretch across so many socioeconomic classes and communities, from the richest to the poorest and from so many backgrounds. But we have a common thread in the uniform,” Major Thornhill says. “It’s part of why I love the Army. You don’t know who’s wealthy. We’re all in uniform.”
The decision to wear one’s uniform on January 23, or any day, should also be accompanied by spiritual preparation. Knowing that others may inquire about the choice in a public setting, Major Thornhill encourages young soldiers to “talk to their corps officers and tell them you’ve seen this uniform campaign and want to be a part of this, showing everyone who we are.”
The Salvation Army uniform is also referred to as an outward sign of an inward experience, or some variation of this idea. Deployment of the uniform can, as Major Thornhill notes, open both literal and figurative doors, but it also should be representative of the Army’s mission to meet human need in His name without discrimination.
“So many times we can go through our days unseen, unknown, or even almost invisible, but we want everyone in our community to know who the members of The Salvation Army are, and what we stand for,” Major Thornhill says. “I think it’s high time for people to know who we are.”
“If someone asks, ‘Why do this?’ I would say, ‘Why not do it?’” he continues. “Why shouldn't we be proud of what we wear? Why shouldn't we be proud to signify that we are a believer in Jesus? Let’s show the world and our communities who The Salvation Army is.”
The campaign begins with wearing one’s uniform on January 23, with soldiers also encouraged to take a selfie or group photo and upload it to the Mission & Cultural Ministries Facebook group. In addition, soldiers can take note of how many conversations stemmed from the uniform and its outward expression. Sharing that information and how he or she responded and engaged in discussion on the topic will then carry the conversation even further.
